Mr. Chair, mental health, particularly rural mental health, was a challenge before COVID-19; it is now made all the worse by these events. While many mental health services have been shifted online, for those without reliable high-speed Internet, the feeling of isolation is made worse.
Over the past weekend, I spoke with a local farmer and advocate who had to drive off-site to participate in an online mental health forum to talk about seeking the same therapy that he couldn't access online. When will the government make meaningful improvements to rural Internet access so that Canadians have access to services they need?